flatmate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, everyday
Quick answer
What does “flatmate” mean?
A person who shares a rented flat (apartment) with another person or people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who shares a rented flat (apartment) with another person or people.
A person with whom one shares a self-contained residential unit, but not necessarily a bedroom, often implying a non-romantic, contractual living arrangement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Flatmate' is the standard British term. The direct American equivalent is 'roommate', even when sharing an entire apartment/flat, not just a room.
Connotations
In the UK, it implies a pragmatic, often temporary, living situation among adults. In the US, using 'roommate' for the same situation carries no significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Extremely common in the UK and other Commonwealth countries (e.g., Australia, New Zealand). Rare in American English, where 'roommate' dominates.
Grammar
How to Use “flatmate” in a Sentence
[Person A] is flatmates with [Person B].[Person A] has [Person B] as a flatmate.[Person A] and [Person B] are flatmates.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flatmate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'To flatmate' is not a standard verb.
American English
- 'To flatmate' is not used in American English.
adverb
British English
- 'Flatmate' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- 'Flatmate' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- 'Flatmate' is not used as an adjective.
American English
- 'Flatmate' is not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in property rental contexts targeting shared accommodation.
Academic
Rare, used mainly in sociological studies of urban living arrangements.
Everyday
The primary context. Used in conversation, rental ads, and personal descriptions.
Technical
Used in tenancy law and property management to denote joint tenants or co-occupants.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flatmate”
- Using 'flatmate' in American contexts. Confusing it with 'roommate' when a bedroom is actually shared (in the UK, 'housemate' or 'roommate' would be used for bedroom sharing).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'flatmate' shares a flat (apartment), while a 'housemate' shares a house. The distinction is based on the type of dwelling.
No, not typically in British English. If you share a bedroom, you would specifically be 'roommates' or 'sharing a room'. 'Flatmate' implies sharing the flat/apartment but having separate bedrooms.
Extremely rarely. Americans almost universally use 'roommate', even when referring to someone with whom they share an entire apartment, not just a bedroom.
Not necessarily. Being flatmates is primarily a practical, financial arrangement. They may become friends, remain acquaintances, or simply be co-tenants with a business-like relationship.
A person who shares a rented flat (apartment) with another person or people.
Flatmate is usually informal, everyday in register.
Flatmate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈflæt.meɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈflæt.meɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To be] on flatmate terms (UK: to have a cordial but not close friendship with someone you live with)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FLAT + MATE = a friend (mate) you share your flat with.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHARING A CONTAINER (The flat is a container shared by individuals).
Practice
Quiz
Which term would an American most likely use for a person they share an apartment with?